China's economy had been booming until recently, when numerous quality and safety problems were uncovered with the manufacturing, packaging and cooking of the country's chief exports. Some examples of these products are: toys made with lead paint, contaminated human and pet foods, poison medical ingredients, and faulty tires. Some people are using the United States of the early 1900s as an example of what is happening in China now and what the country needs to do to reform.
The Chinese government needs to create a system to supervise their economy like the U.S. did when we went through the progressive era and created the F.D.A., along with many other reforms. All in all, China has a major quality control problem that needs to change soon, before other countries stop trading for and purchasing Chinese goods and the country's economy comes crashing down. This could be a major tragedy because China is the most populous country in the world. Over one billion people would suffer severe hardship if China's economy fails.
I think this is a serious, serious problem. Looking around my room, I would say that approximately fifty percent of my belongings are made in China. Now, I am not saying that all of these products do not work or that I am going to die because I use Chinese materials, but I am a little scared. What if the snack I am eating right now is contaminated? What if the treat I am feeding my dog is contaminated? What if all my stuff falls apart in the next few years or the toy I used to put in my mouth when I was little had lead paint on it and I died of lead poisoning (okay, probably not)?
Still, just knowing that this is happening, and that my family or friends might be hugely affected, is an unsettling thought. I hope the Chinese government will be able to quickly make the changes needed to get their production standards and economy back on track. I think that having a period of reform or a “progressive era” is just what they need. I would get them back on track and would certainly be a good sign to the whole world seeing as how their economy plays such a big part in the economy of other countries, and who knows it may lead to the stabilization of the Chinese government. In conclusion, I want to be able to buy Chinese products safely and I am sure that people around the world can't wait to also, seeing as how they are one of the biggest exporters of goods.
